Second International Coptic Conference Calls for True Democracy

WASHINGTON - The second International Coptic Conference concluded on Saturday with a draft of resolutions as religious and pro-democracy leaders look to reform in the Arab world's most populous nation amid its parliamentary elections.

Growing persecution of minority groups in Egypt, including the Middle East's largest Christian minority, has led to an active call for liberalization and democracy among a representative group of some 100 Christian and Muslim leaders and intellectuals who convened for the four-day conference called Democracy in Egypt for Muslims and Christians.

"We're looking for real momentum for democratic reform in Egypt and throughout the Middle East," said the Rev. Dr. Keith Roderick, Washington representative of Christian Solidarity International and secretary general of the Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights. "This conference is a representation of activists and intellectuals meeting to foment a movement of positive change."

Conference participants drafted recommendations for the Egyptian government to improve the human rights situation of minorities and with hopes of it drawing the attention of the United Nations.

The conference follows the release of the first comprehensive report on the anti-Coptic attacks taking place in Alexandria, Egypt. The report, titled Alexandria's Native Christians Under Siege, called attention to the siege attacks and violent persecution against thousands of Christians by such radical groups as Muslim Brotherhood and urged for action.

Parliamentary elections in Egypt had its second round Sunday. Muslim Brotherhood took a strong political foothold in a fight to increase its presence in parliament, which would determine the future of Egypt's democracy. The third round is set for Dec. 1 and the final result is expected mid-December.

With ongoing antagonism toward Christians and radical ideals of Muslim Brotherhood, religious freedom and human rights activists are looking to achieve individual rights and freedoms to create a true democracy in Egypt, said Roderick.

Building support through alliances for a more effective approach in political strategizing, religious freedom and human rights groups are stepping towards a "real civil rights movement within Egypt," commented Roderick.

Sponsors of the second International Coptic Conference included Christian Solidarity International, Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights, Jubilee Campaign, as well as the Copts-United.com, U.S. Copts Association, and the Ibn Khaldun Center.